The ZPA air protection zone of Lille

On 05.07.2017, measures for the improvement of the air quality were adopted in the Lille metropole. From this day on, a ZPA environmental zone has been introduced.In case of an air pollution peak, early warnings or alarms will be announced, followed by quick or immediate traffic restrictions concerning several classes of vehicles. Therefore, it is a temporary environmental zone depending on the air pollution levels of particulate matters, ozone, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide.

The potential air pollution peaks will be announced – as in the case of other ZPA zones in France – by the responsible prefect of the region (département). In the case of Lille, this would be the Prefect of the Département North, who would announce the alarm when pollution levels have exceeded on two consecutive days. Early warnings or alarms (traffic restrictions) in the Lille area will be announced when the daily or hourly measurement of the responsible institution for air quality exceeds 50/80 µg/m³ for particulate matters, 180/360 µg/m³ for ozone, 300/500 µg/m³ for sulfur dioxide and 200/400 µg/m³ for nitrogen dioxide.

In this ZPA zone, the Crit’Air vignette is obligatory for all types of vehicles. The badge is distributed by the prefecture and defines the category of the vehicle. Everyone infringing this measure will be charged with a 68 € fine, which is considered a third class fine, according to the articles L.325-1 to L.325-3 and R. 411-19 of the French traffic regulation code.

The extension of the ZPA environmental zone of Lille

The ZPA environmental zone of Lille includes 12 municipalities of the metropolitan area of Lille. This is approximately one half of the metropolitan area. The environmental zone of Lille is 21 km long and 18 km large, which represents a surface of around 76 km².The following highways are located inside the environmental zone: Highway A25 (from Dunkerque) and the A22 (from Lille and toward Ghent); the A27 (from Lille to Brussels) as well as the A1 (in direction of Paris) and the A23 (in direction of Valenciennes).It is of particular importance to note that most of the traffic coming from Brussels or Ghent mostly goes towards the Calais tunnel through the highways A25 and A27, thus having to cross the ZPA zone of Lille.Excluded from potential alarms are the highways A1, A22, A25.

Measures applied in case of exceeding pollutant values in the Lille-Metropole

The plan for air improvement in the environmental zone of Lille includes emergency measures that will be applied by the prefecture depending on the duration, intensity and nature of the air pollution. Measures concern traffic but also restrictions in the agricultural and industrial sector.

Regarding the road traffic, cars, light commercial vehicles, two-, three- and four-wheelers with Crit’Air categories 4 and 5 will be excluded from accessing the zone during an air pollution peak. Further traffic restrictions are applied to trucks, buses and all vehicles with more than 3,5 tonnes in EURO-classes 0, 1, 2 and 3, which corresponds to the vignette 5 in France. In case of an air pollution peak, measures will be pursued until the weather shows a visible improvement of the air quality.

Table overview of the environmental zone

Name of the environmental zone: ZPA Lille

Date of announcement of the zone: 06.02.2017

Date of entry into effect of the zone: 05.07.2017

Type of environmental zone: Planned: Zone of air protection, depending on weather conditions and activated on the 2nd day of an air pollution peak (> 80 µg/m³ particulate matter) after the warning alarm level is over (> 50 µg/m³ particulate matter).

Current obligation to drive with a badge: For cars, trucks, buses, light utility vehicles and light vehicles with two, three and four wheels, as of the 2nd day of an air pollution peak.

Badge classes allowed as of 05.07.2017: E, 1, 2, 3. Classes 4 and 5, depending on the level and the duration of the air pollution peak (cleanest classes = E and 1).

Not allowed to drive (permanently): Information currently unavailable.

Fines: From 68 to 375 euros.

Area/ extension of the environmental zone: The ZPA environmental zone of Lille includes 12 municipalities of the metropolitan area of Lille. This is approximately one half of the metropolitan area. The environmental zone of Lille is 21 km long and 18 km large, which represents a surface of around 76 km².It includes 12 municipalities: Lille, Lomme, Hellemmes, Séquedin, Lambersart, Saint-André-Lez-Lille, Marquette-Lez-Lille, Marcq-en-Barœul, La Madeleine, Mons-en-Barœul, Lézennes, Ronchin.The following highways are located inside the environmental zone: Highway A25 (from Dunkerque) and the A22 (from Lille and toward Ghent); the A27 (from Lille to Brussels) as well as the A1 (in direction of Paris) and the A23 (in direction of Valenciennes).It is of particular importance to note that most of the traffic coming from Brussels or Ghent mostly goes towards the Calais tunnel through the highways A25 and A27, thus having to cross the ZPA zone of Lille. Excluded from potential alarms are the highways A1, A22, A25.

Special features: After the activation of the air pollution peak, driving bans and traffic restrictions for badge classes are also valid inside the ZCR zone Lille, for it is located inside the ZPA zone.

What are ZCR and ZPA environmental zones in France?

What are ZCR and ZPA environmental zones in France and how do they work? What does this mean for foreign drivers and how the Green-Zones app be of help? You can find the answers in the menu under French environmental zones.